First Home Owners Grant QLD
First home owners may now be eligible for a $30,000 boost towards the purchase of a new home after the Queensland government doubled the First Home Owner Grant.
Changes to the First Home Owner Grant were announced in late November 2023, increasing its value from $15,000 to $30,000 for eligible buy or build contracts entered into between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. All other eligibility criteria remain the same.
The opportunity is expected to be snapped up by around 12,000 buyers before it expires. Designed to help first time buyers secure their own home, the grant can be used towards purchasing a new house, unit or duplex, provided it meets the eligibility criteria.
How the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) QLD works
The Queensland First Home Owner Grant is available towards purchases of eligible new homes valued at less than $750,000, including land and any contract variations.
A new home under this definition is one that has not previously been occupied as a place of residence or sold as a place of residence.
A new home purchase may be eligible for the increased First Home Owner Grant if you sign an eligible buy or build contract to purchase a new home between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025.
The grant can only be used to purchase your own home. To meet the grant requirements, you must live in the home as your main place of residence within one year of settlement/handover and stay there continuously for at least six months.
The grant is paid per new home, not per applicant. Before submitting an application, you (and your spouse if applicable) must have completed an eligible buy or build contract (see below for details) and meet other strict criteria.
First Home Owner Grant QLD eligibility criteria
- You must be an individual (not a company or trust) aged 18 or older.
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or apply with someone who meets that requirement. An applicant who is not a permanent resident but whose joint applicant (spouse) is an Australian citizen may be eligible if they meet other criteria. Additional citizenship rules apply, including for New Zealand citizens.
- You or your spouse must not have previously received a first home buyers grant in any Australian state or territory.
- You or your spouse must not have owned residential property that you lived in on or after 1 July 2000 or any other residential property before 1 July 2000, whether you lived in it or not.
- The total purchase price must not exceed $750,000, including land and contract variations.
- You must live in the home as your principal place of residence within a year of the completed transaction for a minimum of six months.
- Each applicant must be parties to the contract to purchase a new home in Queensland or contract to build a new home in Queensland.
Find out if you're eligible for the First Home Owner Grant at https://qro.qld.gov.au/property-concessions-grants/first-home-grant/eligibility/ or use the eligibility tester.
Definition of a "new home"
Under the Queensland First Home Owner Grant, a new home "must not have previously been lived in or sold as a place of residence at the time of completion". That means it has to be a brand new home, not an existing home for sale or an established home.
Various types of new homes may be eligible, including:
- A house, unit, duplex or townhouse.
- A detached dwelling or granny flat built on a relative's property.
- A substantially renovated home.
The home must be purchased under one of the following eligible transactions:
- Purchase of a newly built home.
- Off-the-plan purchase.
- Contract to build.
- Owner builder.
- Substantial renovation.
There are different requirements for each transaction type.
House and land packages
With house and land packages a popular option for many new home buyers, it's good to know they can be covered under the grant if the other criteria are met. When you complete your grant application form, you must select the correct transaction type based on your contract.
- Contract to build: If you have separate contracts for the land purchase and builder, you may be eligible under the "contract to build" transaction type if you meet all other eligibility criteria.
- New home: If you have a single contract for the land and building purchase, the transaction type will be a "new home". Single contract house and land packages are not offered by Plantation Homes.
Contract to build
Under the contract to build requirements, the new home must be under a comprehensive home building contract. This means the builder handles the entire process, from laying the foundations to completing the home for occupancy, as confirmed by the final inspection certificate.
As indicated above, this type of transaction can also cover house and land packages with separate contracts for land purchase and construction.
Off-the-plan purchases
Buying off-the-plan means committing to purchase a new home and the land together under one contract, usually in an upcoming subdivision. In some cases, the property might not be built when you make the purchase. Off-the-plan purchases are eligible transaction types under the grant guidelines.
Townhouse on strata title
New townhouse developments where townhouses have not been previously occupied or sold as a place of residence may be considered new homes under the grant guidelines.
First Home Owner Grant grant exceptions
The First Home Owner Grant cannot be used for the following:
- To purchase a home for sale that has been previously lived in
- To purchase a home that will be used as a rental property
- To purchase investment properties
- Purchases off the plan that are resold before anyone has moved in
- To purchase a residence where financial assistance is received from a relative who is not eligible for the grant and will reside in the home (exceptions may be made for genuine family reasons)
- Knockdown rebuild projects, except when a substantial renovation has been completed by a seller and the home has not been lived in since (other criteria apply).
Additional exceptions apply for substantial renovations.
How to apply for the First Home Owner Grant QLD
There are two ways to apply for the First Home Owner Grant:
- Through an approved agent such as your bank or lending institution. This is the fastest way. Take the completed application form and supporting documents to the agent for checking and submitting.
- Direct to the Queensland Revenue Office at https://www.firsthome.gov.au/apply/qld/. This process can take longer and is subject to different payment timelines.
For more information, see How to apply.
9 Tips for applying for the First Home Owner Grant:
1. Check eligibility criteria
Check your eligibility before you get started. Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria, such as being a first-time homebuyer, intending to live in the property and meeting the residency requirements.
2. Understand payment timelines
Submit your application early to avoid delays and ensure you receive the grant when you need it. Review the payment information below to understand the payment timeframes before applying.
3. Don't rely on using the grant as a deposit.
The grant is typically paid at specific milestones in the home-buying or building process. For this reason, it may not be received in time to pay a deposit. It's best to ensure you have a separate and sufficient deposit to secure your property.
4. Gather necessary documents
Gather all your supporting documentation, including your proof of identity and signed contract in advance so you can provide everything you need the first time. Use the supporting documentation checklist on the application form to ensure everything is included.
5. Include all relevant parties on the application form.
All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and be included on the application form. Make sure they match the signatories to the eligible contract. Be sure to include your spouse too. You can indicate if they are a co-owner or non-applicant on the form.
6. Use one form per property.
Only one application is needed for a single property, regardless of the number of applicants.
7. Engage an approved agent.
To fast-track your application, use an approved agent, such as a bank, to apply for the grant instead of completing the application yourself.
The agents know the process and can help check you have all the required information before submitting.
8. Monitor the status of your application.
If you decide to apply online, regularly check the status of your application in case further documents are required.
9. Stay informed about changes.
Keep updated on any changes to the FHOG program or application requirements. Government policies can evolve, so staying informed ensures you have the latest information.
Payment of the First Home Owners Grant to Successful Applicants
The grant payment process varies depending on your application method, timing and whether you're building or buying a new home.
If you apply through a bank:
- Buying a new home, including off-the-plan purchases: the grant is paid at settlement.
- Contracts to build your new home: the grant is paid on the first fund drawdown.
- Owner–builders: the grant is paid upon receiving a final inspection certificate.
If you apply directly to the Queensland Revenue Office:
- The grant is only paid when your new home is complete and you've submitted all the required documents.
- Buying a home: the grant is paid when you provide a registration confirmation statement or title search showing your name.
- Building a new home: the grant is paid upon obtaining a final inspection certificate.
Plantation Homes and the Queensland first home owners grant
With Plantation Homes, you can fast track your path to new home ownership with a Completed Home or choose a House and Land Package. Both options may be considered eligible transactions under the First Home Owner Grant.
We offer upfront pricing so you'll know whether your chosen option may meet the First Home Owner Grant requirement of being less than $750,000 in total (including any contract variations).
If you're looking for Plantation Homes that may meet the pricing requirements for First Home Owner Grant, check out the following options:
- The Lennox with its clever floorplan suited to narrow blocks, 10 metres wide, free-flowing kitchen and four bedrooms.
- The Brook with four bedrooms, separate living spaces, a butler’s pantry, built-in robes, a study nook, and so much more!
- The Dawson, the perfect home for starting out, with the master suite at the back and plenty of leisure space.
- House and land packages
QLD First Home Owners Grant FAQs
What is the Queensland First Home Owner Grant?
The First Home Owners Grant is a Queensland government initiative to support first home buyers in purchasing a residential property in Queensland. The initiative started in 2015 and has awarded more than 48,000 grants.
How much is the First Home Owner Grant?
The Queensland First Home Owners Grant is valued at up to $30,000, after being doubled by the state government in late 2023. A grant of $30,000 may be available for eligible transactions signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. A grant of $15,000 may be available for eligible transactions before 20 November 2023.
Eligible first home buyers can use the grant towards the purchase of a new house or townhouse and several other types of new homes, including substantially renovated homes.
How does the first home buyer grant work?
The grant is a one off payment made to eligible first home buyers and was increased from $15,000 to $30,000 in November 2023. The payment is not automatic, and a formal application is required. Plus, applicants need to provide supporting documents.
Am I eligible for the First Home Owner Grant?
You may be eligible for the Queensland First Home Owner Grant if you are aged 18 years or over, are buying your first home in Australia and you are purchasing or building a brand new home.
Additional eligibility criteria include:
- You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or have a spouse who meets this criteria.
- Or you can be a permanent resident who holds a permanent visa, or a New Zealand citizen with a special category visa, as defined by the Australian Migration Act.
- You have not previously received a first home owner grant anywhere in Australia.
To qualify for first home owner grant, you must make the home your principal place of residence within one year after the settlement/handover and then live in the property for at least six months.
How many $30,000 First Home Owner Grants are available in Queensland?
The Queensland government estimates the doubling of the grant in late 2023 will support around 12,000 buyers to purchase their first home by 30 June 2025, when the boost is set to expire.
What documents are required when applying for the FHOG?
Applicants and non-applicant partners need to provide proof of identity, residency and citizenship by supplying documents across four different categories. Other background documents may include copies of marriage certificates, registered relationships or divorce certificates.
You must also provide evidence of any financial assistance you have received towards the purchase/build, including gifts, a loan agreement or a deed.
In addition, you'll need to supply property transaction details such as the contract to purchase, registration confirmation statement or current title search showing you as the registered owner and final inspection certificate. Check the official guidelines for the complete list.
How can I apply for the grant?
You can apply for the First Home Buyer Grant on the government's First Home website or through an agent such as a bank or other financial institution. If you're unsure how to get the first home owners grant or how to apply, check out the application guide for details.
What are the terms and conditions of the First Home Owner Grant Queensland?
There's a lengthy list of terms and conditions for the First Home Owner Grant. The purchaser must be a first home buyer and meet all the eligibility criteria. The property must be a new or substantially renovated home.
The applicant must intend to live in the property as their principal place of residence for at least six consecutive months, starting within one year of settlement or completion of construction. A grant can only be used toward a new home valued at less than $750,000, including land and any contract variations.
Can you use the First Home Owner Grant as a deposit?
Yes, you can use the $30,000 first home owners grant towards a deposit for your first home if you meet the eligibility criteria. However, it's essential to check the payment timelines first. Depending on how you apply for the grant, you may not get the grant money in time to pay a deposit.
Keep in mind you'll also need to meet your bank or financial institution's home loan requirements which may include saving a certain amount for a deposit aside from any grant funding.
Can you use the First Home Owners' Grant to buy land?
No, you can't use the grant to buy just land, including a block of land, vacant lot, rural land or acreage. The grant may be used towards a combined house and land package or a completed home. Conditions apply.
Is the First Home Owner Grant available for existing homes?
Existing homes are not eligible for the grant. The Queensland First Home Owners' Grant (FHOG) is generally applicable to newly constructed or substantially renovated homes only.
Can I use the First Home Owner Grant to purchase an investment property?
No, the grant cannot be used to purchase investment properties. You may meet the eligibility criteria if you have an existing interest in a residential investment property used only for investment purposes and the new property will be your first home. Evidence is generally required to prove that you have never resided in the investment property.
Can you get the first home buyers grant if you're married?
Yes! If you're married or have a registered partner or de facto partner, they must be included on the application. You can indicate if they are a co-applicant for the grant or not.
You will be ineligible if:
- You or your spouse have previously received a new home owner grant anywhere in Australia.
- You or your spouse have owned residential property in Australia
- From 1 July 2000 onwards, if you lived in it.
- Prior to 1 July 2000, regardless of whether it was your residence or not.
What is the Queensland HomeBuilder grant?
Not to be confused with the First Home Owner Grant, the HomeBuilder grant was a federal grant delivered by the Queensland government for people building or buying a new home for the first time. The HomeBuilder grant is no longer available.
The HomeBuilder Grant was valued at $25,000 for contracts signed between 4 June and 31 December 2020 and $15,000 for contracts signed between 1 January and 31 March 2021.
When does the first home owners grant get paid?
The timeline for payment of the first home owners grant in Queensland depends on how you have applied and the type of property.
If you use an agent to apply, payment timelines are:
- Buying a new home: at settlement (including for off the plan purchases).
- Contracts to build a new home: on the first drawdown of funds.
- Owner builders: on receiving the final inspection certificate.
If you apply online through the Queensland Revenue Office, you won’t get paid until the home is complete and you've supplied all the required documents. Payment timelines are:
- Buying a new home: when you supply a registration confirmation statement or title search showing your name on the title.
- Building a new home: on receiving the final inspection certificate.
Where can I find more information about the First Home Owner Grant?
First Home Owner Grant eligibility
Information on How to apply for the grant
